Disney addict Richard Schaefer spends two hours transforming himself into each princess

A 21-year-old man has told how he's spent years perfecting his Disney princess hair and make-up that people are shocked when he reveals that he's not a woman.
Richard Schaefer from Orange County, California, boasts an impressive collection of 40 costumes and 30 wigs which help him morph into his favourite female characters including Jasmine from Aladdin and Snow White.
The natural brunette wears a steel-boned corset and chest padding to achieve an hourglass silhouette and he's learned how to professionally apply make-up to achieve the perfect doe-eyed look.
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Richard Schaefer is a dedicated Disney cosplayer who spends hours crafting costumes to look like heroines including Rapunzel (pictured)
Richard created his Princess Jasmine look complete with black wig and replica jewellery (left); Richard also dressed as Megara from Disney's Hercules (right)
Commenting on his dressing up passion, Richard (pictured out of character) said: 'I think it's a real compliment when people think that I'm a female cosplayer because it means that my transformations must be convincing.
Commenting on his dressing up passion, Richard said: 'I think it's a real compliment when people think that I'm a female cosplayer because it means that my transformations must be convincing.
'I enjoy being in character because I get to be a different person for a while, which is fun.' pre bonded hair
On the online art networking site, Deviant Art, Richard describes himself as a 'Disney addict' adding that 'Ariel is kinda my life.'
The fashion design student, who is currently single, makes many costumes himself but when he's too busy he sources them online.
Taking a twirl: The natural brunette (above as Ariel) says people are shocked when he reveals his true sex
Stike a pose: Richard, 21, dressed as Belle from Beauty and the Beast, pictured with a fellow cosplayer
He has been cosplaying as Disney princesses for four years and loves nothing more than getting dressed up and showing off his transformations to fellow fairytale fans.
The Californian regularly attends comic conventions with friends dressed as one his princess alter egos.
Last year he went to his biggest convention yet run by the Official Disney Fan Club.

'I absolutely loved it, and I loved being around other fans in cosplay,' he said.
Richard Schaefer from Fullerton, Orange County, has spent years perfecting himself into a Disney princess - above he is seen dressed as Snow White
Queen Elsa: Richard wears a steel-boned corset and chest padding to get an hourglass silhouette
Steady hand: The native-born Mexican (dressed as Frozen sisters (l-r) Elsa and Anna) has learned how to professionally apply make-up to achieve the perfect doe-eyed look
Bonnie in blue: Dressed as Cinderella (left) and Giselle from the Disney film Enchanted (right)
Richard, who also works as a freelance make-up artist, spends two hours on each transformation.
He uses contouring techniques to sculpt his face and often wears coloured contact lenses to complete the look.
While Richard will now wear figure-hugging outfits without hesitation, he hasn't always been so confident.remy hair extensions
At school he was bullied for his 18st 13lb frame and often kept to himself, creating clothing and artwork in his free time.
Skilled: The fashion design student, who is currently single, makes many costumes himself but when he's too busy he sources them online (left, dressed as Cinderella, right, dressed as Megara from Disney's Hercules)
In the limelight: In 2013 Richard began uploading photographs of his transformations onto Instagram and he now has more than 82,000 followers
Starting young: Richard pictured as a child holding his favourite Ariel doll
It wasn't until Richard lost 6st 11lb in his senior year at high school, then aged 18, that he started discovering his self-confidence.
Recalling the chain of events Richard said: 'I was a bit of a loner at school and spent a lot of time by myself.
'But when I lost the weight, I felt more confident and able to just brush off any comments.
Disney dreams: Richard Schaefer as a toddler with Minnie Mouse
Fond memory: The dressing up fan pictured as a child when he met his favourite Disney character, Ariel
Tough times: While Richard (dressed as Ariel from The Little Mermaid) will now wear figure-hugging outfits without hesitation, he hasn't always been so confident
'I decided to start cosplaying as princesses because of how androgynous people used to say I was.
'Curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to transform myself into my favourite princess - Ariel, who I have loved since I was a child.
'I was pleasantly surprised at how convincing I looked so I decided to stick at it and try different princesses too.'
In addition to cosplaying as princesses, Richard sometimes plays male characters, including Peter Pan and Aladdin.
Blossoming: It wasn't until Richard lost 6st 11lb in his senior year at high school, then aged 18, that he started discovering his self-confidence (above, dressed as Cinderella, pictured with a fellow cosplayer)
Changing it up: In addition to cosplaying as princesses, Richard occasionally cosplays as male characters, including Peter Pan and Aladdin (above)
In 2013 Richard started uploading photographs of his transformations to Instagram and he now has more than 82,000 followers.
He added: 'Being a princess definitely helped me to become a more confident person.
'Not only do I feel beautiful as a princess but I feel even more beautiful when I'm just myself, the ball gown is just an added bonus.'
'I often receive rude comments but I'm quick to shut them down by turning their comment into a joke.
'I'm sure of myself and who I am, so I never take someone else's opinion to heart.'

After Thursday night's horrific terror attack in Nice, concerns were raised for the cast and crew of Fifty Shades of Grey, who were filming nearby.
Yet Dakota Johnson had moved away from the horrors of the south of France as she headed to Paris to continue filming the second film in the franchise on Monday.
The 26-year-old superstar looked incredibly elegant as she sidled along in a stylish floral dress with a belted waist which she toughened up with chunky flatforms.
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Relocation: Dakota Johnson had moved away from the horrors of the south of France as she headed to Paris to continue filming the second film in the franchise on Monday
Dakota, who plays meek Anastasia Steele in the erotic trilogy, looked tremendously chic in her white gown which was adorned with a patchwork floral print in a host of pastel hues.
Boosting her already long legs, the brunette beauty sported chic double strap flatforms which added inches to her height.
Injecting a superstar touch into the ensemble, Dakota clutched an envy-inducing Hermes Birkin handbag, complete with gold fastenings and a detachable long strap.

Coordinating again with the black accents in her ensemble was her over-sized sunglasses which shielded the majority of her face.
Stylish: The 26-year-old superstar looked incredibly elegant as she sidled along in a stylish floral dress with a belted waist which she toughened up with chunky flatforms
Initially wearing her hair pulled back in a low-key ponytail, Dakota, who stars opposite Jamie Dornan playing Christian Grey in the movie, later allowed loose locks to cascade over her shoulders.
Her trademark long-length fringe was tickling her lashes as she appeared to sport minimal make-up from beneath her glamorous eyewear.
The cast arrived in Paris after a stint of filming in south of France, where they were seen taking a dip in the shores before terror struck nearby.
A short way from the set, the tragic Bastille Day terror attack in Nice took place, which saw the death of 84 people including 10 children.
Floral fancy: Dakota, who plays meek Anastasia Steele in the erotic trilogy, looked tremendously chic in her white gown which was adorned with a patchwork floral print in a host of pastel hues
Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, 31, drove a white lorry drove into the heavily populated Promenade des Anglais crushing people before exiting the vehicle and spraying crowds with bullets.
Horrifying footage of the moment the truck turned into a deadly juggernaut were uploaded online within minutes, showing a trail of dead bodies left in its path.
The devastating events saw the film's producer Dana Brunetti move to reassure fans that everyone involved with the project was safe.perruques cheveux
Passing on the message from the whole production team, he wrote on Twitter: 'From production: 'Production has confirmed that everyone working on location in the south of France is okay.
''Everyone has been accounted for and is safe and sound. Thanks for everyone's messages and concerns. Another sad day for France and the world.'
Safe and sound: The devastating events saw the film's producer Dana Brunetti move to reassure fans that everyone involved with the project was safe (Dakota pictured with co-star Jamie Dornan)

Mariah Carey and her fiancé James Packer have spent the last few days soaking up the sun on the French Riviera.
And the couple looked in suitably good spirits as they arrived for a private dinner with friends in Saint-Tropez on Sunday night.
The 46-year-old pop diva stole the spotlight in a plunging tight pink dress while billionaire James, 48, was spotted beaming with pride.
Stealing the spotlight! Mariah Carey (left) looked suitably glamourous on holiday in Saint-Tropez, France on Sunday night, while her fiancé James Packer (right) took a notably more casual approach
It is understood the couple were walking to an evening soirée with Hollywood director Brett Ratner and James' friend Ben Tilley.
James looked like he'd caught the sun recently as he displayed a reddish tan, while Mariah flaunted her beautifully bronzed glow.lace front wigs
Meanwhile, the Without You star showed off plenty of cleavage in her stylish bodycon dress which featured a low-cut neckline.
No wonder he's smiling! Mariah, 46, displayed plenty of cleavage in tight pink dress with a plunging neckline
You're a lucky man, James! The Australian billionaire couldn't stop smiling next to his glamourous fiancée

Mariah gave onlookers a glimpse of her sun-kissed décolletage and also displayed her shapely legs in a pair sheer tights.
She styled her sleek brunette hair loosely and accessorised in typically extravagant style with several statement rings.
Her partner James, however, took a notably more casual approach in a dark, loose-fitting ensemble.
Summer days: James looked like he'd caught the sun recently as he displayed a reddish tan, while Mariah flaunted her beautifully bronzed glow
Busty: The US singer displayed plenty of cleavage in her bodycon dress which featured a low-cut necklinecosplay wigs
The 6ft 6in-tall businessman opted for a navy long-sleeve top with a scooped neck and black trousers.
Meanwhile, Mariah and James got engaged back in January after a whirlwind romance of less than a year.
The son of late media tycoon Kerry Packer presented her with a diamond ring with an estimated value of US$7.5 million.
A sheer delight! Mariah gave fans a glimpse of her sun-kissed décolletage while flaunting her shapely legs
Keeping it casual: James took a more laid back approach in a navy long-sleeve top with a scooped neck
Love story: Mariah and James got engaged back in January after a whirlwind romance of less than a year